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Terrors ended their bleak run of
results with a convincing and well deserved victory
against a Robins side that seem to freeze at home.
Having been on the wrong end of two
convincing drubbings at Imperial fields Tooting could
have been forgiven for opting for safety first.
Instead, Billy decided to stick with the positive
approach that has promised much in recent games, but
has been let down by defensive lapses. This time
the tactic was to play three at the back, supplemented
by full/wing backs. York, Goode and Vines were
outstanding. Only once, after just ten minutes,
did the home side break through the line as they had
succeeded in doing so many times before this
term. On this occasion Richard Jollys effort was
rebuffed by Dave Kings legs.
Before that, Joe Vines had shot just
wide following a free kick set piece as, even at that
early stage, the visitors were gaining the upper hand.
Joe was again involved in the first serious goalmouth
action on the half hour as he and Michael Antonio
managed close range attempts during a panic period in
the home defence. Jason Pinnock, now
re-established in the middle, was showing off his
impeccable close control, venturing into the area five
minutes before the break, only to shoot wide.
Half Time: 0-0
After a brief flurry of activity
from the Robins, forcing King into a smart save low to
his left, Tooting soon picked up from where they had
left off with Michael Antonio cranking up a gear in a
two pronged attack alongside Paul Vines. His electric
run down the left flank resulted in a low cross that
just evaded his striking partner.
Captain McLeod, returning from his
latest suspension, had three half chances in a five
minute spell. First he shot wide from yet another
excellent Howell cross and won a corner soon
after, when his next effort was turned past the
post. His third attempt was the culmination of
some fine interplay between Hamlin and Pinnock.
Carshalton started to fight back
about a quarter of an hour in, as Richard Jolly surged
forward in search of his obligatory goal. This was not
to be his day though, as Aaron Goode unloaded him with
the sweetest of covering tackles.
Five minutes later and the Terrors
finally took control, McLeod set up Antonio after
twenty five minutes, forcing a corner as the moves
started to come together. Then, ten minutes from time,
Howell played Antonio into the box and he calmly
slipped the ball past Overland.
Robins did rally in the last few
minutes. Joe Vines was hauled down as he stormed
forward six minutes from the end, with Honey receiving
his marching orders for an incident in the ensuing
chaos - a bit of a surprise in a game that was played
in excellent spirit and without another bad tackle.
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